Today's Paper Roundup: Tue 22-09-2026
From security wins in Katsina to a regulatory slap on Air Peace, and from Aso Rock's warning to the police ahead of 2027 to Dangote's Wall Street ambitions, Tuesday's papers span security, politics, aviation and big business — with a mango plant in Senegal offering a rare feel-good detour.
Aviation Regulator Comes Down on Air Peace
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has ordered Air Peace to compensate passengers after a botched Lagos-Enugu flight notification. Premium Times reports that a preliminary probe found passengers were sent an incorrect notification despite the flight having been rescheduled, while Channels TV notes the case followed a formal complaint by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who accused the airline of "irresponsibility and impunity" after his flight was delayed until evening.
“passengers were sent an incorrect notification despite the flight having been rescheduled”
“accused Air Peace of irresponsibility and impunity”
Security: Katsina Celebrates Foiled Kidnap Plot
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has praised the military, DSS and local vigilantes for foiling a mass kidnapping and neutralising 18 bandits, according to ThisDay, which reports the criminal gang was led by a former school headmaster-turned-bandit. Security forces reportedly recovered arms and rustled livestock in the operation, a rare bright spot in the region's long-running battle with banditry.
“Says criminals led by former school headmaster-turned bandit”
“Security forces recover arms, rustled livestock”
2027 Politics: Tinubu Warns Police, Opposition Cries Foul
With the 2027 elections looming, President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to stay professional and impartial; Leadership reports he warned officers against political interference, while Daily Trust says the president demanded "strict political neutrality" from the force. But opposition voices are already sounding alarms — the ADC, per Daily Trust, warned that "persistent physical attacks on opposition members, escalating violence, and systematic political intimidation" could mar the polls, a concern echoed by IPOB, which Leadership says has renewed its election boycott over alleged attacks on opposition gatherings in Enugu State.
“strict political neutrality”
“persistent physical attacks on opposition members, escalating violence, and systematic political intimidation”
“reiterated its decision to boycott the forthcoming general elections”
Education & Public Services
JAMB has relaxed a long-standing rule barring candidates from swapping SIM cards or changing registered emails, with Leadership reporting the board "has approved a controlled process" for those who lose access to their accounts. Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Commission has begun training state officials on tracking school book supplies under the HOPE-EDU Programme, and in Zamfara, the World Bank-backed L-PRESS project has distributed farming inputs and feed-processing equipment to livestock farmers' unions.
“has approved a controlled process”
“UBEC Trains States In Tracking Of School Books”
World Watch: Iran at the UN, Nigerians and Passports Abroad
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed to "firmly defend" his country's positions as he headed to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, according to Punch and Channels TV, with the latter noting Washington has approved UN visits for part of the Iranian delegation despite the ongoing war, though the group faces movement restrictions. Back home, Leadership reports the Nigeria Immigration Service has enrolled 8,552 Nigerians for passports across the US, Canada, Qatar and the UK amid what one headline calls a "passport crisis."
“subject to movement restrictions”
“Passport Crisis: 8,552 Nigerians Enrolled Across US, Canada, Qatar, UK”
Business & Finance
Aliko Dangote has laid out ambitions to expand his refinery's capacity from 700,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day, with proceeds from a planned NYSE listing, Leadership reports. Elsewhere in finance, Nairametrics reports GCR Ratings has upgraded Fidelity Bank's issuer rating to A Plus (NG) on the back of a stronger capital position, while Vanguard reports the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has unveiled a $300 million Renewable Energy Fund to accelerate distributed clean power projects.
“NSIA unveils $300m Renewable Energy Fund”
Tech Beat: Telecoms, Fintech and Data
Vanguard takes a wry look at Nigeria's telecom sector, noting that despite operators' promises of faster 4G and 5G speeds, "people still carry two SIMs." Across the continent, TechCabal reports Tanzania's regulator has revealed Kenya's KCB holds a 22.23% stake in payments firm Pesapal, deepening the bank's push into East African payments, while a new Kenyan payments bill could force banks to share customer data with licensed fintechs.
“Network upgrades are announced, and people still carry two SIMs”
Sports Shorts
In Senegal, football star Sadio Mané has launched a $20.4 million agro-industrial project in his hometown of Bambali, Punch reports, aimed at expanding mango processing and creating local jobs. In Madrid, meanwhile, Real Madrid confirmed Federico Valverde suffered "severe trauma to his left ankle" during Sunday's derby against Atlético, following a heavy challenge, NotJustOk reports.
“builds $20m mango processing plant in hometown”
“suffered a severe trauma to his left ankle”